The Shelter of Flint has been an awakening
and spiritual experience for me. It's near and dear to my heart for many
reasons. The first day that our group participated in the family night, as the
parents dropped children off to us, I noticed a few familiar faces. One of the
residents I went to elementary school with and another I attended high school
with. I had conversations with the both of them about our times together
in school. I told them both It was good to see them. (But not to see them in a
shelter) After I left that night I meditated on what I could do to help them, I
thought about how fortunate I am to live
where I live, I have full family support,
and I get opportunities some don't. My heart goes out to all the people at the
Shelter of Flint, let alone, all the people in the world that are less
fortunate to have a home. However, the people I saw had an immediate effect on
my heart and souls motivation to serve. When you are young and living life you
are not conscious of the fact that the people around you as well as yourself, will
be privileged or less fortunate. I’ve been homeless before so I know what it
feels to not have a home, so I know the need to have one. Through this
experience I vow to treat everybody right and do to others as I would like for
myself. Which reminds me of a quote I
saw on a door I passed in the French Hall. It says, “A good way to find
yourself is get lost in serving other” Unknown Author.
I want to give people all that I have, I that I
know, all that I will ever be, and more.
Peace and Love, Denaro O. Hennings
1L1G
Why did you choose to work at the shelter?
ReplyDeleteIt will be two years in March that I became a team member at the Shelter of Flint. Choosing to work here was a twofold opportunity. First, it gave me an opportunity to grow in my professional field as an advocate. And secondly it kept me in the field where my heart and passion is at. Empowering residents who feel they have no hope for their future or who just need someone to listen to their hurts without someone giving an opinion.
How does your job help women in the Flint community?
We have a great team at the Shelter of Flint that work together daily empowering all residents women, men, and children. The residents receive active case management, assistance with job search, if their resumes need to be revised we help in that area as well. We also assist them with housing search. There is much more provided that I did not mention that enable the residents to leave the SOF to attain affordable housing and be productive in the Flint community once again. This is truly a Shelter of Flint team effort.
In closing:
I would like to say first I am sorry that this was sent to you late. I hope you're professor accepts this letter and all of you receive the credit all of you so deserve. I cannot thank all of you enough for you're giving, you're kindness, and you're hearts, you're time, and most importantly you're interest. We all look forward to seeing you all again.
Sincerely,
Petra Kersey